Last week I made an appt to have my new Michelins installed by a local shop on Saturday (last Saturday, 6/1). When I made the appt, I asked him to order a new clutch cable and front brake pads. I told him what I had installed was a +8" clutch (and it was a bit too long for my 16" bars).

I drop off my bike on Saturday morning and was given Tues as the day it would be done. Ok. Not the end of the world.

I let the guy do the clutch and brakes along with the tires. I'm more than capable of doing a clutch cable replacement and have done so in the past.

I've done just about 100% of the work on my bike and thought maybe I could lighten up (it's a control issue) and give someone a chance.

I go tuesday afternoon to pick her up and the first thing the guy points out is how short the newly installed clutch cable was. He said he installed a 72" cable (stock is 68", so he installed a +4" cable). He seemed more than fine with leaving it like that.

Mind you I run 16" apes on top of 1.5" tall risers. +4" isn't gonna cut it.

If he called me and said "hey, I screwed up and the clutch cable I ordered was too short. Give me a day or two to have the correct size shipped and installed." Suuure, no problem. Although to someone who has probably done more than his share of clutch cables should've known the correct size was not +4.. That's where my faith is lost. He also didn't know the 06+ dynas are 49mm forks. I inquired about front suspension just to see what he'd offer up as a suggestion.

I pay the guy for his labor and such and go home. Decide that'll be the last time I let anyone other than me touch my bike.

On Thursday I decide to stop down there and ask him what he planned to do about the clutch cable. I got the equivalent of the "deer caught in oncoming headlights" stare. I said "How about order the correct size for starters". He starts throwing out cable sizes. I say "hey look. if stock is 68" and I was running +8" that's 76", right? They were too long. You're +4" is too short. So......let me do your customer service and tell you to order +6".

It's obvious he prefers the older carbed bikes.

I'm not going to bash him totally because I want to see if he'll replace the cable on his dime. If not then I'll name names.

 

I have never been 100% happy with any shop where I've had work done. The guy that did my motor work did a great job on the motor, but there were other issues like turn signal wiring they hacked up (I had them PC my front turn sigs while they had the bike). Also when I got it back they said it had fresh oil, but it was black as tar (still break in oil I presume) and I'm pretty sure it had the filter on it that I dropped it off with. I drained it and changed it, thankfully 10k later no issues.

Another shop didn't coat my muffler when I asked them to recoat my pipes. Not to mention they kept my bike for like 2 months for some minor work.

And the shop above was to recoat my pipes because yet another different shop destroyed them during an install.

I do everything myself now. Even with delays in figuring stuff out and not being an expert, I am always confident I will be back on the road quicker than taking it to a shop, not to mention I know it is done correct and have confidence in my work.

 

I have found no matter how much experience and knowledge one has if it isn't your bike things get overlooked. Little stuff which can easily lead to big ticket repairs. Couple weeks ago I had mich.commander II's put on mine, the wrench showed me my wheel bearings , they were shot at 50k miles long story short he gives me back the bike afte a 2.5 hour wait and the exhaust tail pipe bolts fell onto the ground the second I fired it up! Right there with ya Vic.

 

I have good stories and bad. I had a old school builder install my SE cam plate, new cams, and rebuild my front forks with Riccor intimators. He did a fantastic job.
Then I had the young, motor legend do some really simple stuff. Chrome cables, primary leak, rear shocks, swing arm and internal wiring for the drag bars. What a friggin mess. And he came off like he was doing me a favor. I don't care if he rides the worlds fastest bagger and they named a cam after him, he is a pud.

 

If 8" was too long, why didn't you suggest that he should install 6", instead of not saying anything...I'm guessing that you didn't. If you weren't happy, you should have told him them and not paid and left, only to come back almost a week later. Just my opinion.

 

Old saying that continually lurks in the back of my mind: "if you want it done right, do it yourself"

It always is a matter of trust. Trust in a person to have the experience, skill, knowledge, technical expertize and dedication to their trade to perform the job at hand in a professional manner the first time.
Recently I decided to replace the carb on my old '81 F100. I'd replaced three of em over the years and it was time. The rebuilt carb I bought did not have two drilled/tapped holes needed to mount a throttle kicker. The boss was there, but I didn't have the small metric-threaded tap required, so I took the new carb along with the old one to a old-time local machine shop to have the drilling/tapping job done by a professional. Work needed to be 7/16" deep. The owner is in my age group with years of experience. Showed him what needed to be done. Returned the next day to pick up the work. Before I closed the trunk on my car, I thought I'd check the job first. Unscrewed the throttle kicker just to make positive sure one of the holes wasn't drilled through, into the float-bowl. Guess what?
The owner was aghast at what his machinist did. He did right by me in buying me a new carb, but I doubt I'll use that machine shop again.
I harangued myself for days afterward....(if you want.....)
I guess it's always gonna be a crap-shoot. Hopefully I'll never need any surgery!

 

Man, that sucks. I have been in that boat before with a previous bike... With my street bob, I have been doing most of the work at the dealer. (I know I know) I could do the work myself but, they offer a lot great incentives for letting them do the maintenance.( set of SE D502's installed for less than $300) Not only that but, I am good friends with most of the crew that works on my bike, which I think awards my repairs/maintenance a little more time and diligence making sure its done right. At the end of the day, you're trusting you life with who ever is working on your scoot... Maybe in the future try developing a friendship with your local indy, or whoever you are letting work on your ride?

Good luck getting the cables figured out.

 

You're right. I am partly to blame. However maybe I wanted to see how he handles his job. If I have to hold his hand AND THEN pay him for it I might as well keep doing my own parts purchases, installs , and maintenance.

And I didn't know what size cable he was buying. I assumed with his experience he should would have known.

And, I didn't go back "almost a week later". I picked it up on Tues, and had a chance to stop back down there on Thursday. That's a difference of two days.

 

No one works on my bike but me unless it is warrantee work or tire changes. I don't even let others work on my cages, and rarely let the home warrantee people touch my house either. They all are going to go with the cheapest, fastest fix and still charge full price seems like.

 

the only thing i have to say is you (anybody) know your bike all the ins and outs. Every little paint chip, what temp the engine runs good in....etc you get the point. The mechanic knows the model of your bike.


Not trying to excuse poor service...I can't believe some people..I can call with a part number and credit card and get told the guy I need isn't there can I call back later.

WTF

hopefully you deal ends well. Sorry to hear SC